Early hours revellers lead to restaurant losing its licence

A restaurant can no longer serve alcohol after repeatedly staying open late and keeping neighbours awake.

C’s, of Blackheath Road, Greenwich, lost its licence at a meeting of the Greenwich council’s licensing review sub-committee on 9 January, after representations were made from local residents, the police and licensing officers.

Forty-three complaints about the premises were made to the Royal Borough by neighbours between January and October last year, with the Council carrying out inspections, as well as warning the licensee, Vincent Phil-Ebosie, three times to improve the situation.

In May he agreed an action plan with the Council to comply with the conditions of the licence to sell alcohol ostensibly with food, but by August fresh complaints indicated otherwise. Late-night inspections by licensing officers during October and November confirmed this.

Cllr Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement, said: “In this case, the premises was breaching the terms of its licence and making life considerably uncomfortable for neighbouring residents, to whom we’re very grateful for making their views known to the committee.

“The message is very clear – if you don’t keep to the conditions of your licence, you’ll lose it.”

One complaint said: “It is now 3.26am and they are still shouting at the top of their voices. This has been going on all evening and in to the morning.”

Another said: “Loud music and crowds have kept me awake each evening since. Saturday night was by far the loudest and went on until almost 4am”.

Mr Phil-Ebosie can appeal within 21 days of receiving the written decisions, though in the interim the premises’ licence remains suspended.